Event Comment: [As mainpiece the playbill announces Douglas, but "Mrs Barry being suddenly taken ill yesterday Morning , The Busy Body ws substituted for Douglas...and allowing for the short Notice which the Performers had to prepare for the Representation, we must do them the Justice to say that they acquitted themselves extremely well" (Morning Chronicle, 16 Oct.).] Receipts: #234 5s. (233.4; 1.1)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 16 years [not acted since 27 Oct. 1758]. With Alterations [by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Prologue by David Garrick]. The Characters new dressed. This Play is revived with Alterations (by R. B. Sheridan Esq) and a new occasional Prologue written by Mr Garrick? and spoken by Dodd, both well received. Miss Essex made her first Appearance upon this stage in Silvia, a small mean Figure and shocking Actress, so bad that she is to do the Part no more. Reddish was very imperfect in Vainlove from the Beginning, but was so very much so in the last Act, that the Audience hissed very much, and cryed out, 'Off, Reddish, Off!" He went forward, and addressed them as follows, 'Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been honoured with your Favour and Protection for these ten years past, and I am very sorry to give any cause for your Displeasure now; but having undertaken the Part at a very short Warning, in order to strengthen the Bill, and having had but two Rehearsals for it, puts it out of my Power to do Justice to the Part, or myself.' The Play then went on. So great a Lye was never delivered to an Audience by any Actor or Actress before. He had the Part at least six weeks in his Possession, and repeated Notice to be ready in it, and six Rehearsals was called for it,--indeed, he attended but three. Vernon undertook to study the Part at eleven o'clock to-night, and to perform it to-morrow (Hopkins Diary). [Miss Essex was from the hay.] Receipts: #209 6s

Event Comment: [The play was not allowed to conclude, nor was the afterpiece, All the World's a Stage, performed. "Yesterday evening, during the representation of...A Bold Stroke for a Wife, at China Hall, Rotherhithe, a party of the inhabitants, who had laid an information against the performers, rushed into the theatre, behind the scenes, and seized Mr Russell (who played the character of Colonel Feignwell), and carried him, in his stage dress, before Justice Smith, at the Rotation-Office, St Bennet's-hill, who committed him to the House of Correction, for further examination this morning" (Morning Chronicle, 24 July). What happened to Russell is not known, but because of this occurrence the theatre did not re-open until the following season, on 25 May 1778. See my article on the history of this unlucky playhouse, Theatre Notebook, VIII, 76-80.

Event Comment: [In mainpiece the playbill retains Mrs Robinson, but "A correspondent who was at Drury Lane theatre last night to see The Law of Lombardy congratulates the town on the acquisition of a new performer of the part which Mrs Robinson played. That lady being taken ill, Miss Farren, at very short warning, undertook it, and did it the most ample justice" (Gazetteer, 22 Apr.).] Receipts: #107 1s. 6d. (72.8.0; 31.1.0; 3.12.6)

Event Comment: [In afterpiece the playbill retains Wood, but "As soon as the play was finished, Palmer stepped forward, and...informed the Audience that Wood was taken suddenly and dangerously ill, but in order to prevent the Company from being disappointed of the farce, R. Palmer had undertaken to perform the character of Bouquet at a few hours notice. After the usual Musick the farce commenced, and it is but justice to R. Palmer to declare that he acquitted himself much to his own credit and entirely to the satisfaction of the audience" (Morning Chronicle, 14 July).

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by Robert Jephson. Prologue by the author (Gentleman's Magazine, Jan, 1782, p. 36). Another Prologue, by the Right Hon. Luke Gardiner, "not arriving in London time enough for the first exhibition of the Count of Narbonne, was not spoken" (ibid.). Epilogue by Richard Josceline Goodenough, but beginning with 20 Nov. it was superseded by a new Epilogue written by Edmond Malone (see text)]: With new Scenery and Dresses. Public Advertiser, 1 Nov.: The Management of The Count of Narbonne is . . . under very good Care: Mr Horace Walpole, with a Fondness nothing less than fatherly, directs that part of the Affair which respects the Scenes and Dresses, while Henderson takes Charge of the Rehearsals and the casting of inferior Parts... [Henderson] is to wear a Dress which is lent him from among the Antiquities at Strawberry Hill. "I have been at the theatre, and compromised the affair of the epilogues: one is to be spoken to-morrow, the friend's on the author's night. I have been tumbling into trap-doors, seeing dresses tried on in the green-room, and directing armour in the painting-room" (Walpole [16 Nov. 1781], XII, 95). "I never saw a more unprejudiced audience, nor more attention. There was not the slightest symptom of disapprobation to any part ... It is impossible to say how much justice Miss Younge did to your writing. She has shown herself a great mistress of her profession, mistress of dignity, passion, and of all the sentiments you have put into her hands. The applause given to her description of Raymond's death lasted some minutes, and recommenced; and her scene in the fourth act, after the Count's ill-usage, was played in the highest perfection. Mr Henderson was far better than I excepted from his weakness, and from his rehearsal yesterday, with which he was much discontented himself. Mr Wroughton was very animated, and played the part of the Count much better than any man now on the stage would have done. I wish I could say Mr Lewis satisfied me; and that poor child Miss Satchell was very inferior to what she appeared at the rehearsals, where the total silence and our nearness deceived us. Her voice has no strength, nor is she yet at all mistress of the stage. I have begged Miss Younge to try what she can do with her by Monday. However, there is no danger to your play: it is fully established" (Walpole [to the author, 18 Nov. 1781], XII, 95-96). Public Advertiser, 28 Nov. 1781: This Day is published The Count of Narbonne (price not listed). Receipts: #164 10s. 6d. (163/0/6; 1/10/0)

Event Comment: "In his first scenes [Kemble] was judicious, but too studiously so; and though most critically correct in his address to the Senate, evidenced he was more anxious to do justice to the text of his author than the feelings of Othello. But in the subsequent scenes he made ample recompense, and most successfully combined accuracy of expression with spirit of character...We much approve his dressing Othello in the Moorish habit...[but] is it necessary the Moor should be as black as a native of Guiney?" (Public Advertiser, 29 Oct.). Receipts: #117 16s. (102.6; 15.5; 0.5)

Event Comment: The Nobility, Gentry and Public at large are respectfully informed that, in compliance with the wishes of many of the principal Subscribers an supporters of this undertaking, and it being found that, without offence to law, the entertainments advertised for the Hanover-square Rooms may be given at this Place. The Doors to be opened at 6:30. To begin at 7:30 [same throughout season]. Pit 10s. 6d. Gallery 5s. As the Proprietors would not presume, even to save themselves from utter ruin, to offend either the Authority of the King, or of the Laws, they forbear all idea of performing Operas until the hardship and justice of their case shall produce the proper influence upon his Majesty's benevolent mind; and, under the circumstances in which thy stand, with a Company of the most celebrated singers and dances in the world, in their respective departments, engaged at an expense of #18,000, they confide in the liberality to the Public that they will countenance and support such an Entertainment as they are legally warranted to give, until they shall recover their just right of performing Operas under his Majesty's license. "From dinner we all went to the Opera House in the Haymarket, where for the first time they performed for money [see 23 Feb., 10 and 22 Mar.]; the singers, to avoid the [licensing] Act, coming in their own dresses and confining themselves to the airs. It will be seen whether this restriction will be considered sufficient" (Windham Diary, 219). "The action of Orpheus and Eurydice has been seen before at both the rehearsals [see 10 and 22 Mar.], but the scenery could not be then sufficiently displayed. It was very correctly managed on Saturday night...The scene of the Elysian fields deserved the most admiration, where, by means of lights placed behind gauze, a filmy hue is thrown over the stage, and the figures assume the appearance of aerial beings" (Gazetteer, 28 Mar.)

Event Comment: 1st piece [1st time; PREL 1, by Richard Cumberland. Larpent MS 958; not published]. Without insisting on the great Expence that has been incurred in re-building this Theatre (in the erecting of which no other Object has been attempted but the greater ease, safety and accomodation of the Spectators) it appears upon the Books that the Annual Disbursements of the past Seasons have gradually been encreasing from Year to Year, under the Direction of the present Proprietor, to nearly the sum of #10,000 per Annum more than the usual Expenditure of any of his Predecessors; it is therefore trusted the Necessity of the following small Advancement of the Prices of Admission to the Boxes and the Pit will be sufficiently apparent to the Justice of that Public whose Liberality has never yet been doubted. E. Barlow, Treasurer. Boxes 6s. 2nd Price 3s. Pit 3s. 6d. 2nd Price 2s. Gallery 2s. 2nd Price 1s. No Money to be returned. The Office for taking Places for the Boxes is removed to Hart-street. The principal new Entrance to the Boxes is from the Great Portico in Bow-street; from the Small Portico are Entrances to the Pit and Gallery only. In the Old Passage from the Piazza are new Entrances to the Boxes, Pit, and Gallery. Carriages coming to Bow-street Entrances are desired to set down and take up with the Horses' Heads towards Hart-street. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin at 6:30 [see 12 Nov.]. [The audience objected vociferously to the increased prices of admission and to the absence of a 2nd gallery (and see under 19 Sept.). "The Prelude passed off without a syllable of it being heard...Two acts of The Road to Ruin displayed the performers' skill in pantomime, for not a word was heard...The Irishman in London then walked over the stag amidst the same riot and confusion which attended the preceding pieces" (Times, 18 Sept.).] Receipts: none listed

Event Comment: It having appeared to be the Sense of a considerable Part of the Audience on Monday Night that the One Shilling Gallery should be restored, the Proprietor has already given Directions that their Wishes may be obeyed with all possible Expedition. With respect to the other Point, upon which some difference of Opinion still continued throughout the Performance, it is necessary to declare, that without absolute Ruin to the Property, this Theatre cannot be opened at lower Prices of Admission. The Proprietor therefore relies with Confidence on the Justice and Protection of the Public should any Attempt be made again to interrupt the Performance upon this Ground. [The new Upper, or One-Shilling, Gallery was constructed within two weeks, and opened on 1 Oct. The audience accepted The argument for the necessity of raising the prices of admission, which, as they now stood, remained in effect for the remainder of the century. 2nd piece in place of The Suspicious Husband, advertised on playbill of 17 Sept.] Receipts: none listed

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 4 years. Afterpiece [1st time; P 2 (?). Not published; Songs: Larpent MS 1272]: Invented by T. Dibdin, & produced under the Direction of Farley. To conclude with an Allegorical Procession of the Seasons, Months and Hours, to the Temple of Domestic Happiness. With entire new Music, Scenery, Machinery, Machinery, Dresses and Decorations. The Overture and Music composed by Moorehead. The Dances by Bologna Jun. The Scenery by Phillips, Lupino, Hollogan, Wilkins, Bromley, the two Whitmores, Powell. The Machinery by Cresswell, Sloper, Goostree, C. Dibdin Jun., &c. The Dresses by Dick and Mrs Egan. Books of the Songs [J. Barker, 1799] to be had in the Theatre. "The opening scene of the new pantomime is highly interesting. The representation of the Volcanov, and the fight in the air between Floridel and Cratero, may with justice claim the epithet of grand and magnificent" (Dramatic Censor, I, 13). Account-Book, 6 Feb, 1800: Paid Moorehead for music in Volcano #25. Receipts: #366 7s. (344.17; 21.10)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by Henry James Pye. Prologue by William Sotheby; Epilogue by John Taylor (see text)]: With new Dresses and Decorations. "From the first drawing up of the curtain, till its final fall, we could not discover one single flight of fancy, one solitary scene of woe...It is but justice to add that for a first night the performers, with the exception of Barrymore, were very perfect in their respective parts [and see 27 Jan.]" (Dramatic Censor, I, 175, 181). Receipts: #309 13s. (246.4.6; 61.0.6; 2.8.0)

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. Benefit for Lady Perrott and her Orphan Family. Lady Perrott trusts that this will be her last appeal to public commiseration, hoping to obtain justice from her claims in Jamaica. When it is considered that these agonizing efforts to preserve five helpless children are made by a woman born to all the delicate indulgences attending on rank and fashion, every species of apology would be deemed an insult to be had of Lady Perrott, No. 28, Spring-street, Portman-square

Event Comment: Mr Salomon having insinuated that he alone is in possession of a correct Score of this celebrated Oratorio, I feel compelled, in justice to myself, to state that the Oratorio was published by subscription at Vienna, and that the printed Copy, from which I had the Parts transcribed, was delivered by Dr Haydn to a subscriber in Vienna, and brought from thence expressly for me, and on which is the Doctor's initials. The accuracy with which it was performed, and the enthusiasm with which it was received, are, I hope, convincing proofs that no other directions are necessary to "produce the effect required by the Author." I should not thus have obtruded myself, but I conceived it requisite to justify myself from the imputation of having attempted to impose a spurious production upon that public to whom I am under so many obligations. I am, with the greatest respect and gratitude, their most obedient servant, John Ashley. March 29. [On 29 Mar. the following card had appeared in most of the daily newspapers: Mr Salomon having received from Dr Haydn an early Copy of his New Oratorio called The Creation of the World, and having been favoured by him exclusively with particular directions on the style and manner in which it must be executed, in order to produce the effects required by the Author, begs to acquaint the Nobility and Gentry, that he means to perform it on Monday, the 21st of April next, at the King's Theatre. The performance took place on that date in the Ancient Music Room, i.e. the large concert-room situated inside the King's, on the east side, level with the first tier of the boxes. The reason for this change was, states the playbill, "the present Performances in the Opera House not allowing sufficient time to erect an Orchestra on the Stage." The principal singers were Mme Mara, Mme Dussek, Small, Page, Denman, Bartleman. Samuel Wesley presided at the organ and at the piano forte.